Offset Dual-Layer Pocket Opening for Protective Garment Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective clothing designs for areas like knees, elbows, and shoulders often lack effective and durable pocket openings for inserting and retaining cushioning pads, which can lead to accidental ejection of pads and dust ingress.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dual-layer pocket opening system on the outer surface of protective clothing, with the first and second opening layers offset by at least 4 centimeters, formed by folding and stitching fabric, allowing easy pad insertion and preventing ejection, without using fastening elements like Velcro or zippers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-layer pocket opening is used, then the structure is simple, but the cushioning pad can be accidentally ejected and dust can ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket opening is divided into two separate layers (first opening layer and second opening layer) offset from each other by at least 4 cm. This segmentation creates a more complex structure that prevents pad ejection while allowing easy insertion, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-layer opening structure creates a nested configuration where the first and second opening layers are offset and interconnected through folded and stitched fabric. This nested design provides secure pad retention while maintaining ease of operation for pad insertion and removal.
2Reliability
If fastening elements like Velcro or zippers are used, then pad retention is improved, but the complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate fastening elements like Velcro or zippers. Instead, the fastening function is integrated into the dual-layer opening structure itself, where the offset layers and folded-stitched fabric provide retention without additional components, reducing complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The pocket opening structure serves itself by using the dual-layer offset design to provide both access and retention functions. The folded and stitched fabric layers create a self-retaining mechanism that does not require separate fastening elements, eliminating potential failure points while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the opening layers are close together, then the pocket structure is compact, but dust can easily enter and pads may be ejected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific offset distance (at least 4 cm) between the first and second opening layers. This localized spatial separation at the pocket opening provides dust protection and pad retention, while the offset configuration allows the rest of the pocket structure to remain relatively compact.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to protective clothing (100) comprising one or more pockets (102) operable to hold cushioning pads (202) in strategic places on the clothing, such as knees, elbows, and shoulders, for example. The pocket opening (104) comprising a first opening layer (204) and a second opening layer (206) offset from the first opening layer. The opening would not comprise any other fastening elements, such as Velcro, hooks, closures, zippers, etc. which may be easily damaged. The offset or distance between the two opening layers would allow for easy insertion of the cushioning pad, while also preventing a cushioning pad from accidentally coming out of the pocket.